Salzburg: Off for second homes and chalet villages
More and more chalet villages in the mountains and second homes, which are empty for most of the year because they are only used during holiday periods. In tourist locations, on ski slopes and local lakes, land is particularly sought after. The high demand is driving up prices – and making housing unaffordable for local residents.
Slated to come into effect in 2023
In order to put a stop to this, the state of Salzburg has now put together a package of laws. The trigger was the devastating audit report by the state audit office on the real estate transaction commissions in Pinzgau. The new Salzburg Land Transport Act and the amendment to the Regional Planning Act are intended to “stop speculation and second homes and secure land for locals,” says VP State Councilor Josef Schwaiger. The package, which will be decided today in the state parliament and will come into force in 2023, defines who can purchase green and building land under what conditions and how this is used. For the first time, the Basic Traffic Act, building law and the Regional Planning Act interlock.
Criticism from the State Audit Office
The basic traffic commission will also be amended. The State Court of Auditors criticized the fact that the rule of law in Pinzgau had “largely disregarded”. Documentation for land sale decisions is missing or incomplete. The amendment provides for an independent land traffic commission headed by a land traffic officer.
Manage farmers & grounds yourself
The law regulates the “green basic traffic” (agricultural areas) and the “grey basic traffic” (building land/real estate). According to the Provincial Council, Salzburg is a pioneer in Austria. The motto: farmland should remain in the hands of farmers. Buyers must submit a management concept, the usage obligation is 15 years. In the event of non-declaration of use, the auction threatens. 75 percent of the property must be cultivated by yourself. The spatial proximity is decisive for a privileged acquisition by farmers, this is 20 km to agricultural land and 60 km to forest and alpine areas. Large estates are defined by a unit value and instead of the usual local price, a standard land price is introduced that is based on the earnings value.
Buyer must prove future main residence
The law has been defined in such a way that no additional chalet villages and second homes are created. When buying real estate in the future, it must be determined that it will be used as a main residence. The buyer must prove that his center of life is there. If he can’t do this in time, you go to the auction and the buyer gets his money back. Second home restriction communities are set. Second homes used after March 1, 1993 and before January 1, 2019 can only be transferred to relatives. There are deadlines for the commencement of use in gray property transactions: one year for developed land, five years for comprehensive renovation of a building, seven years for undeveloped land.